In the United States, Immelt’s two jobs allow him to provide Obama with poll-boosting support from industry leaders, and in exchange, to ease General Electric’s access to federal dollars and help company lobbyists gain access to shaping federal environmental, energy and tax regulations.

For example, GE and its subsidiaries won at least 19 direct contracts or grants from the 2009 stimulus, according to the federal website, Recovery.gov.

Immelt’s support for Obama has changed over time.

He supported the Sen. John McCain’s run for president in 2008, then backed Obama after his election.

By the spring of 2012, Immelt was reportedly telling friends that Obama had moved too far left.

In 2012, Immelt did not actively support Obama during his re-election campaign.